Jason Kidd fired months after signing big-money deal as Masai Ujiri seeks ‘new direction’ for Mavericks.
Jason Kidd presided over perhaps the greatest basketball upset in Dallas Mavericks history. Now, he is no longer tied to the franchise crisis.
Announced Tuesday, the Mavericks and Kidd agreed to part ways, ending a coaching tenure that began in 2021 and ended with a 205-205 regular season record.
A few months ago, Kidd signed a lucrative multi-year contract, while owner Patrick Dumont leaned heavily on him following the firing of general manager Nico Harrison.
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Head coach Jason Kidd of the Dallas Mavericks looks on during the second half against the Golden State Warriors at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas, on Jan. 22, 2026. (Sam Hodde/Getty Images)
But the winds of change quickly swept through Dallas after the appointment of new party President Masai Ujiri.
Faced with the task of overseeing a basketball team that finished a dismal 26-56 this season, Ujiri wasted little time making his first big statement.
“Jason has had a huge impact on the Dallas Mavericks, both as a Hall of Fame player and as a head coach who helped lead the team back to the NBA Finals,” said the new Mavericks president.
“We appreciate Jason’s leadership, efficiency and dedication to the team. In the short time I’ve been here, I’ve had a lot of respect for what he’s built. He’ll always be an important part of the Mavericks family.”
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The sudden split also leaves some “what ifs” surrounding Cooper Flagg’s development.
The 2025 No. 1 Rookie of the Year has reportedly developed a strong working relationship with Kidd, who has publicly expressed his excitement about building the franchise’s next era around a new challenge. Instead, Ujiri opted for a complete cultural reset.
Head coach Jason Kidd of the Dallas Mavericks looks on during the third quarter against the Los Angeles Lakers at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas, on Jan. 24, 2026. (Sam Hodde/Getty Images)
Kidd’s five-year coaching tenure in Dallas was a roller coaster.
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He culminated his coaching career by guiding the Mavericks to the Western Conference Finals in 2022 before orchestrating an exciting run to the NBA Finals in 2024.
However, the rise was quickly overshadowed by the organization’s instability.
The franchise surprised the NBA by trading for cornerstone Luka Dončić, plunging the roster into an identity crisis.
What followed were a slew of injuries to teammates Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving, as well as divisive moves like the acquisition of D’Angelo Russell.
The Mavericks ended up falling from championship contenders to the bottom of the standings.
“As we examine the future of our basketball program, we believe this is the right time for a new direction for our team,” added Ujiri.
“We have high expectations for this franchise and the responsibility to build a basketball organization that can continue to contend for a championship. We will conduct a thorough, ethical search for our next head coach and continue to evaluate our entire basketball staff to ensure we compete in the way Mavs fans expect and deserve.”
As a player, Kidd will be forever revered in Dallas for helping lead the franchise to its 2011 championship.
The Mavericks are now beginning a thorough search for their next head coach, hoping that the candidate is a promising candidate who doesn’t overlook the roots of bad luck that have plagued the organization.
Cooper Flagg of the Dallas Mavericks talks to head coach Jason Kidd during the second half against the New Orleans Pelicans at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas, Nov. 5, 2025.
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